TEDxAMRITAUniversity

How shall I begin this? To make a long story short I would describe it in three word – chaos, chaos and chaos. I think that’s a single word repeated three times but that does justice to it. TEDxAMRITAUniversity was the name licensed to our university by TED for organizing an independent event using their name and credibility backed with the intense popularity the brand name TED enjoys all over the world. And I am personally proud to say that we are the first university in Coimbatore to organize a TEDx Event (x=independently organized event) and I was given the privilege to be the event manager. The only problem was we were running short of manpower and time.

It was the 4th of February, five days before the D-Day (or rather TED-Day). I was hurrying up task after task and we were working almost round the clock to meet the dateline. Over and above we were coupled (not burdened; MBAs should never use the word burden) with our day to day assignments. Our dean was very helpful and excited, and was all the while ready to help. He wanted the show to be a grand success. He would frequently sneak into our room (the deans annex room) and enquire about our progress regarding speakers and attendees, and other allied works. Going back late and skipping meals were the usual choir as we had less time and it was a wonderful opportunity to have our university associated with TED and we didn’t want to mess it up – that too on a debut event. We were able to finalize eight speakers and one performer in total.

The workers did a great job. They made the circular extension of the podium in our Executive room in just one day including the seat arrangement finished with sofas for the speakers and performers not to mention the beautiful antiques they rented just for the event. When Abhiseka called up one of the worker-contractor from Orissa, he was quick to respond to our plea for setting up the 10 by 10 feet flex and sent some workers to do the job in no time.

Finally the day came but still chaoses after chaos prevail. Up till the last moment we were running here and there as if a house has caught fire or our rear end is on fire. Eventually the program started – all going well and good. The first presenter was none other than Mr. Arvind Gangaram Talekar himself – the Dabbawala of Mumbai. The show continued with speakers like G D Rajkumar, Korath V Mathew, Ella Roininen, Nirmala Dinesh and so on. The lunch which was scheduled at 1pm didn’t arrive and an “Oh Sh#t Factor” was echoing among the mouths of the food committee. I quickly send an SMS to Abhiseka to schedule a speaker to buy some time. It was like sending distress signal in the middle of a battlefield – “May day; May day”. Finally the food arrived JIT(Just In Time) or SHIT(Some How In Time). But another ill news was awaiting me. There had been a communication gap and the food came from mess - the same food being served in hostel. But we were quick with our quick-witted managerial decision (or “jugad” in common laymen’s term) and arranged for ice-creams and better roasted chapattis to mask the mess food. After the lunch, a pleasant surprise waited the attendees. Master Siddarth the only performer and the youngest drummer in India was enthralling the audience’s ears with rich music set loose from his magic drums. The event came to a “Happy Ending” with Nitin Gupta wrapping up the show with his intellectually humorous stand-up comedy. He made fun of everyone and everything. He didn’t even spare me. But it could have been worse had I not given a given a solemn warning to Nitin Gupta, just minute before his comedy, not to use any non-veg comedy or make fun of Amma. At last a good wrap up. I met Swamiji and had a conversation. We were having discussions on various issues. He did tell me that he has high standards - he just wanted everything to go well- everyone wanted the event to go well and indeed the show went not well but fantastic.